National Apprenticeship Week (NAW 2019) takes place 4 to 8 March 2019.
This annual celebration of apprenticeships will bring the whole apprenticeship community together to celebrate the impact of apprenticeships on individuals, employers and the economy.
We're celebrating by getting to know one of our newest apprentices - Callum Ward.
What apprenticeship are you studying?
An advanced engineering apprenticeship.
What’s something you do every day at Polypipe?
When I come into Polypipe I prepare pipes in order for them to be welded.
What’s something you wanted to do when you were younger?
When I was younger I was very inquisitive of how mechanical objects worked, which made me want to become an engineer.
Favourite subject in school, and why?
I enjoyed physics at school due to it being a subject which could explain how objects worked in the world.
Why are apprenticeships good for companies?
Apprenticeships are good for companies due to them getting a person who will train to have a very high qualification, whilst also learning how their business works from employees with lots of experience. This means an apprentice will end up with the knowledge of a company’s products and processes without having to learn these after gaining their qualification.
Why was an apprenticeship right for you?
An apprenticeship was right for me as I didn’t want to be stuck in a classroom all day like at school. I wanted to go and learn outside a classroom environment to learn from people who had years of experience working in the field I wanted to go in to.
What’s some advice you’d give to young people thinking about doing an apprenticeship?
I would tell young people to look around as there’s loads of different apprenticeships you can do. Then consider doing one of those apprenticeships instead of going to university as you get valuable experience doing an apprenticeship.
How have you found Polypipe?
I have found Polypipe to be an inviting and friendly place to work with knowledgeable people.
What is your general role at Polypipe?
To manufacture pipes and pipe fittings.